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In 1841, William started a tree nursery in New Concord, growing it slowly before moving the business 16 miles west to Zanesville where he opened a greenhouse— which was still on the outskirts of what is now a modern-day city. It was William's son, John Dillon Imlay, who cut flowers from the family greenhouse and then ride his bicycle into Zanesville to hawk them. John then began to transform the family's wholesale flower business into a retail flower shop in the burgeoning city. Growing from having space in a newfangled drug store where one could by medicines for the body and flowers for the soul, John moved the flower business into a one-room building he purchased. When that building was razed in 1906, he rented property nearby to continue— until that building, too, was razed and replaced with a new three-story one, from which Imlay Florists operates from to this day. In 1912, a third-generation Imlay, Manning Vincent "Cap" Imlay, attended the Massachusetts Agriculture College, becoming the first in the family to gain a formal floriculture education. He assumed the mantle of shop manager two years later, holding onto the leadership position until his passing in 1969. John David Imlay ( fourth generation) took over with son and current owner, Dave, learning at his feet. Dave began his apprenticeship at age six, sweeping floors, watching and sometimes just hanging around the shop to learn every aspect of the business from his dad. Aside from a few years spent away at a wholesale job, Dave has spent the rest of his time at Imlay Florists. It's not a given that the sixth generation of Imlays will take over the shop once Dave retires although they do continue to help out when they can. Dave believes there is a strong possibility that Imlay Florists will skip a generation and assume grandchildren-ownership. Working from the single Imlay Florists retail shop that continues to serve the city of Zanesville and surrounding area, Dave and his wife also own a Christmas tree farm, which they purchased 10 years ago in nearby Blue Rock, Ohio. For the Imlay family, that 70-acre tree farm is a symbol of how the family business was started as a tree nursery by William Smith Imlay—a circular reminder of when present meets past. NANZ & KRAFT FLORISTS Louisville, Ky. Founded: 1850 is flower company continues a fine family tradition, now up to seven generations deep. Headquartered in Louisville, Ky., Nanz & Kraft Florists has been in business since 1850, with the Kraft family an integral part of its day-to-day operational success. In 1841, William started slowly before moving the , who cut flowers from the family greenhouse and then ride his moved the flower business into a one-room building he purchased. When that 1906, he rented property until that building, too, was razed and replaced with a new three-story one, from which Imlay Florists operates from to this day. Florists will skip a generation and moved the flower business moved the flower business Nanz & Neuner Florist circa 1875- 1895 Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 51

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